Farshid Esmaeili (; born 23 February 1994) is an Iranian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Persian Gulf Pro League club Zob Ahan.
Club career
Early career Born in Bandar Lengeh, Esmaeili started his career with Badr Hormozgan from youth levels. In the summer 2011, he joined Fajr Sepasi U-20 and after a good season he was promoted to the first team. Esmaeili made his debut for Fajr Sepasi in a 6–1 win against Damash on 15 September 2012. He spent three years with Fajr Sepasi in Shiraz.
Esteghlal
On 5 July 2015, Esmaeili joined Iranian Pro League club Esteghlal on a three-year contract.اسماعیلی به استقلال پیوست Farshid Esmaeili joined Esteghlal He scored his first goal for Taj against Sepahan with a long-distance shot in a 3–0 away win. Esmaeili scored a goal and assisted one during Esteghlal's 3–2 win in Tehran derby against Persepolis on 12 February 2017گل فرشید اسماعیلی به پرسپولیس and was named as best player of the match. He played regularly for Esteghlal under the management of Alireza Mansourian. Under German coach Winfried Schäfer, he was one of the most successful players in Iran, he also was selected as one of the best players and the top assists at the 2018 AFC Champions League.Fans' #ACL2018 XI🇮🇷 Playmaker extraordinaire Farshid Esmaeili has been Esteghlal FC's standout player in the #ACL2018 so far! Can he lead them to the 🏆? He finished his third season with the team with six goals and assisted 13 times in 34 games. Esmaeili made significant strides in his ability as a playmaker, also forming a formidable partnership with his teammates, the Uzbek Server Djeparov and the Senegalese Mame Thiam. He scored 6 goals and had 5 assists in 35 matches in his last season with the club. In August 2021, Esmaeili was linked to his move to rival Persepolis and an Emirati team.دو ستاره استقلالی در لیست جدید پرسپولیس/ انتقال جنجالی در راه است؟پیشنهاد وسوسه‌انگیز اماراتی‌ها به هافبک تکنیکی استقلال/ بازیکنی که دلخور است In October 2021, he joined Qatari side Al-Arabi as a free agent, replacing of his injured compatriot Mehrdad Mohammadi.Esteghlal Midfielder Esmaeili Joins Al-Arabi of Qatar
International career
Youth Esmaeili was part of Iran U-20 during 2012 AFC U-19 Championship qualification, 2012 CIS Cup, 2012 AFF U-19 Youth Championship and 2012 AFC U-19 Championship.
U23 Esmaeili invited to Iran U-23 training camp by Nelo Vingada to preparation for Incheon 2014 and 2016 AFC U-22 Championship (Summer Olympic qualification). He named in Iran U23 final list for Incheon 2014.
Senior Esmaeili was first called up to Team Melli training camp in September 2017 by Carlos Queiroz.فرشید اسماعیلی به تیم ملی دعوت شد He was invited again to the Iran in August 2021 by Dragan Skočić.
Style of play
Esmaeili is good on the ball with both feet and his direct running at players. In his early beginnings, he played as a forward, but was converted into a midfielder after moving to Fajr Sepasi. Esmaeili showed his best performance when playing as an attacking midfielder or as a winger. He played as a defensive midfielder on occasion for his ability to retrieve the ball, so Esmaeili is considered a utility player.فرشید اسماعیلی: این شانس را دارم که به زودی ملی‌پوش شوم
Career statistics
Club
Club performance League Cup Continental Total Season Club League Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Iran League Hazfi Cup Asia Total2012–13Fajr SepasiPro League17210—1822013–144000402014–15Azadegan League14100141Total35310—3632015–16EsteghlalPro League15150—2012016–1727230813832017–1823541903662018–1921221302632019–2022241302932020–212215253326 Total13013235284181222021–22Al-ArabiStars League1411000151 Total14110001512022–2023FooladPro League00000000 Total000000002023–24NassajiPro League1210060181 Total1210060181Career total1911825534425027
SeasonTeamAssistsEsteghlal2015–1602016–1742017–18132018–1952019–2052020–215Nassaji2023–244Total36
International
National teamYearAppsGoalsIran201700201800202100Total00
Honours
Esteghlal Hazfi Cup: 2017–18
Al Arabi QFA Cup: 2022
Individual Persian Gulf Pro League Team of the Year: 2016–17 AFC Champions League Top Assist: 2018 (5 assists) AFC Champions League Fans' Best XI: 2018
References
External links
Farshid Esmaeili on Instagram
Farshid Esmaeili at PersianLeague.com